The Best Evidence to Prove That a Candidate Gene Is

Question

The best evidence to prove that a candidate gene is a disease gene is finding:
A)a start and stop codon.
B)a CpG island upstream.
C)that the gene is expressed.
D)the homologous gene in many similar animals.
E)a mutation in the homologous sequence from a disease sufferer.

Accepted Answer

The presence of a mutation in the homologous sequence from a disease sufferer is the strongest evidence to prove that a candidate gene is a disease gene, as it directly links the gene to the disease. Other criteria listed are important in supporting the candidacy of a gene, but do not provide as strong of evidence as the presence of a disease-causing mutation.